Er. H .R Phonsa
Revered Sadguru Kabir Sahib, a Dalit revolutionary saint was one of the founding fathers of Bhagati Movement (1375-1700) in northern India. Bhagti Movement was akin in many ways to Protestant Reforms of Christianity. Bhagati Movement saints were all revolutionary and practical in their approach to God realisation. They Challenged the fruitfulness of the old time worshiping techniques like outer body decorations , celibacy, dogmas, rituals, bathing in designated rivers including superstitious methods devised by priestly classes. Dalit saint Guru Namdev (1270-1350) is said to be the first saint in the Bhagati Movement or Sant Mat the devotional transformation of medieval Hinduism in the north. Nirguna Bhagti as preached by Bhagti Movement saints is Bhagti or worship approach to achieve the ultimate God realisation objective. It is based on the non qualified ( Nirguna) of the supreme Brham ( Universal Creator) of non personnel, all pervading ineffable, unutterable or indescribable Reality, which cannot be spoken with human tongue. It cannot be written in any worldly language alphabets. Sant Mat is based on the reality of merging the re-absorbable Jiva or Atma of the finite soul into the infinite ineffable sacred Reality. This supreme Reality can only be realized within human body under guidance of a God realised soul called Guru, Master or Guide. Kabir Ji said “Guru Manas Kar Jantey,Te Nar Kahiye Andh. Maha Dukhi Sansar Main, Age Jam Ke Bandh.( Kabir Granthawali- Page 3) Meaning if anybody underestimates the authority of a realised Guru, they are blind or ignorant . Such persons suffer heavily in this world and after death and so face curse of Yamraj ( Death God or Kal)
Kabir was a supreme Mystic master so his authority is indescribable. The true Bhagati is sharing with God, yoked to God and devotion to God. The Bhagti Movement is devotional religious movement. Majority of Bhagati Movement saints or religious guides, preachers, poets Gurus, and Bhagats came from all walks of life and religions. But majority of them were from Dalit castes or Hindu exploited low caste persons including Shudras and Ati Shudras. They rejected the theory of polarity of gods as well as the Vaishnava doctrine of Avatars of supreme Lord. The saints or seers believed in and preached God as an Absolute and ultimate Reality. Kabir said “Sahib Ka Ghar Santan Mihi, Sahib Sant Kush Anter Nahi”. ( Kabir Shabdavali Part -2/37) God is present in Saints body frames. There is no difference between God and Saints i.e. they are one and the same.
Kabir, (from Arabic al-Kabir) which means The Great ,The Supreme, one of the 99 names of Allah. Many Muslim Ullmans have described Kabir Ji as Muhaviz meaning a mystic personally, which cannot be easily understood. Whatever a Muhaviz does it is only for seeking divine grace.
As per legend Kabir is said to have born in 1398 and passed away in 1518. He became disciple of Ramanand (1366-1467) in 1455.So Kabir was younger to Saint Namdev by 128 years, who had passed away 48 years before Kabir was born. Kabir was 16 years elder to Guru Ravidass and 71 years to Baba Nanak. These three legends of Bhagati Movement had common life span of about five decades.
Kabir himself has said about his caste
Hindu Kahun To Main Nahin, Musalman Bhi Nahin
Panch Tatav Ka Putla,Gabhi Kheley Mahin
(Kabir Sakhi Page 75) Meaning:- I am neither Hindu nor Muslim. My body is made of five perishable material ( Earth, Water, Air, Fire and Ether), where in my invisible Soul with Almighty as it source resides.
Kabir was a weaver by caste as mentioned in many Slokas by saints including Kabir Ji himself “Oshi Mat Meri Jat Julaha,Har Ka Nam Liyo Main Laha”.( AG524) My caste is lowest Jolaha ( Weaver). But I have got benefitted by worshiping Hari ( God Almighty).
Kabir’s deciple and spiritual heir Dharamdas said,”Mai Turkani,Bapp Julaha, Beta Bhagat Bhaiy”.
Meaning:- Kabir’s mother was Muslim his father was weaver( Julaha), but their son became worshiper of universal Creator.
Guru Amardas, Third Sikh Guru said ” Nama Shinbaa Kabir Julaha, Pure Gur Te Mat Pai”.( AG Panna 830).
Maharashtra Sain Tukaram said, “The Momin Kabir”. Or Kabir was Muslim.
Kabir is said to be married with Mai Loi and the couple had one son Kamala and a daughter named Kamali. Kabir earned his livelihood from profession of weaving. Although Kabir was a highly realised Nam dyed personality, even then his opponents called him Nirgura meaning not having a religious, spiritual Master, which as per Sant Mat is a must for every Sadak or Saint. So he approached Ramanand (1366-1467) for seeking his blessing. But Ramanand belonged to Sri Sampardai ,who observe strict Caste system . Ramanand Ji would never accept a Shudra or Muslim as his disciple. So Kabir Ji lied on the steps leading to Ganga Ghat, where Ramanand used to go for bathing daily before sun rise. While coming down on steps he struck Kabir and Said “Ram Ke Parare Kaho Ram Ram” .O, Ram’s creation say Ram Ram. This way it is said Kabir Ji became disciple of Ramanand. This was confirmed by Ramanand later. Earlier Kabir and Ramanand had worshiping norms poles apart; even then Kabir respected Ramanand as his Master. Later Ramanand also adopted Sant Marg or Nirgun Bhagti Marg and one of his poems is contained in Sri Guru Granth Sahib ( Adi Granth Panna 1195)
( Kat Jayeyo Re Ghar Lago Rang, Mera Chit Na Chaley Man Bhayo Pang—)
Meaning: why to go elsewhere and adopt external means of God realisation, when He resides in one’s body. With this worship technique his ( Ramanand’s) mind had been lamed and tamed, so had come under his control.
Although Kabir did not get formal education but he was brilliant and laborious from childhood.Kabir himself confesses in one of his Padha( Couplet)
Mas-Kagaj Shuyo Nahi,Kalam Gahi Nahi Hath. Meaning:- I have not touched ever ink and paper., the medium of writing.
But Kabir have vividly described the true state of our society ( Samaj ) .Whatever he preached, he testified its validity by giving practical worldly examples.
Kabir said “Tou Kahta Kagaj Ki Lekhi, Main Kahta Ankhan Dekhi”. Meaning worldly philosophers say what they have read from books but Kabir says out of his practical knowledge.
Sadguru Kabir has the distinction among all saints that his teachings and Bhajans (Songs in the praise of God) crossed all religions and geographical barriers. His teaching are every household lore and his name every household word. His teachings are held in high esteems among all religious personalities. He befittingly exemplified his Dohas (Couplets), to prove their fruitfulness. Kabir was a devoted revolutionary saint with democratic bent of mind. He discarded all that was unnecessary for God realisation. Since Dalit saints had seen poverty from very close angle and suffered at the hands of rulers including hard liner priestly class of their times for opposing man made religious illusions for Bhagti (Worship) for God realisation. Saint Peepa Sahib (1408-1448) said in praise of Kabir Sahib.
” Jo Kal Mainj Kabir Manj Na Hote, To Ley Ved aur Kalyug Milkar,Bhagat Rasatal Dete”. ( SGGS Panna 695)
Meaning:- If in the Kalyuga there had not been Kabir, both religious scriptures and Kalyug ( Iron age) would have thrown souls in to hell. Dadu Sahib a prominent Kabir disciple said “Dadu Naam Kabir Ki, Jae Koi Leve Ott , Unko Kabahu Laage Nahin, Kaal Vajr Ki Chot” . Meaning:- who so ever recited Kabir’s name( Kabir Manter),shall not be punished by Kal( negative power).
The Fifth Sikh Master Guru Arjundev Ji, who authored Adi Guru Granth in 1604 , was made to sit live on a hot iron plate and hot sand was poured on his head. He declared in Adi Granth Sahib, (AG-622). “Sant Ka Marg Dharam Ki Porri “. Meaning the worshipping path shown by the saints was the true religious way to achieve salvation. Kabir Ji was also teased badly by his religious opponents.
(To be continued)